7 Serious Causes Of Nausea In Children

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Feeling nauseous is unpleasant. And that’s putting it mildly. Most of us have felt nausea at some point in life. The feeling of wanting to throw up has ruined many a trips and parties! Unfortunately, children are not spared this unpleasant feeling.

For children who are still unable to verbalize their feelings, nausea is a difficult problem to explain. But for older children ‘I think I am going to be sick’ is a common refrain. But nausea is not always accompanied by vomiting, though that doesn’t make it any better.

What Causes Nausea In Children?

Nausea is very common among children. But the cause may vary. Some of the major causes of nausea in children are:

1. Motion Sickness:

Most children suffer from motion sickness. When we travel, our brain gets mixed signals from our eyes and our inner ear’s balance mechanism. This confusion can lead to a number of symptoms, including nausea. Other symptoms of motion sickness include sweating, drooling, headache, etc. Motion sick

ness can occur while we travel in a car, train, bus, and even airplane!

[ Read: Motion Sickness In Children ]

2. Stomach Flu:

A stomach bug can cause nausea in children too. You can get a stomach flu because of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Food Allergies:

If your child is allergic to some food, she may experience nausea on consuming it. Food intolerance too can cause child nausea. Most common food allergens are eggs, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, wheat, and fish. Watch out for symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain if you suspect food allergy. But remember, food allergies manifest themselves within hours of consuming the allergen.

[ Read: Food Allergy Symptoms In Kids ]

4. Anxiety:

It’s not just adults who suffer from anxiety! Children have a stressful life too. A new school year, missed homework, an upcoming game, or a broken heart – there’s a lot going on in your child’s life that can cause stress. Stress is a big cause of nausea in children and needs a serious look into.

[ Read: Anxiety In Children ]

5. Infections And Other Illness:

Many common illnesses like ear infections, seasonal flu, swine flu, acid reflux and reactions to medication can cause nausea and fever in children.

6. Overeating:

Did you child go out for a pizza party? That may be the cause behind her nausea! Many children tend to binge eat, especially during holidays and parties. It can cause a bad case of nausea too.

7. Food Poisoning:

Children love to eat out. But street food can be dangerous! Food poisoning can be caused due to undercooked meat, contaminated food, etc. The symptoms of food poisoning consist of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramps.

[ Read: Chest Pain In Children ]

How Can You Help Children Cope With Nausea?

The first thing your child needs when down with nausea is kindness. Don’t just brush it off. Remember how YOU feel when nausea strikes. That should help you deal with your child better.

Now, don’t rush and fill your child with medication! There are some easy steps you can take to offer your child some relief from nausea:

1. Rest:

Many times, all your child needs is a few hours on the bed to recover from nausea. Plump up a pillow, lay your child down and let her relax.

2. Keep It Small:

The first urge we have when our young one is down with nausea and vomiting is to hydrate them. Yes, your kid needs hydration. But don’t make her gulp down gallons of liquid. Larger gulps can make the nausea even worse. So, make sure your child take small amounts of liquid like water, clear soup, non-caffeinated drinks. But remember-small sips, not huge gulps!